Franciscan Health Olympia Fields Program

Franciscan Health Urology Residency is a five-year ACGME-accredited program based in Olympia Fields, Illinois, designed to provide comprehensive training in all aspects of urological care. Established in 1978, the program prepares one resident each year, offering a rigorous curriculum that incorporates a wide range of urological subspecialties including endourology, complex urologic oncology, and reconstructive urology. The program's mission is to produce highly skilled and ethically grounded urologists capable of addressing the full spectrum of urological disorders.

The residency program is structured to combine rigorous academic training with extensive clinical practice. Residents benefit from a diverse surgical caseload and the opportunity to participate in valuable research projects. This holistic approach is designed to foster the development of strong physician-patient relationships, essential for promoting continuity of care in urological practice.

Curriculum

The curriculum at Franciscan Health is designed to ensure that residents develop the necessary clinical and surgical skills over the five years of training. From the intern year, residents begin to engage in patient care and gradually assume more complex responsibilities. Initial training includes fundamental procedures such as cystoscopy and ureteroscopy, as well as open surgical techniques and basic laparoscopic skills.

Residents are expected to acquire significant expertise by the end of the program, exceeding minimum ACGME requirements in various areas, including general urology, robotics, and urologic oncology. Didactic education is emphasized through regular conferences, including morbidity and mortality meetings, journal clubs, grand rounds, and board review sessions, ensuring residents remain well-informed about the latest advancements in urological care.

Rotations

Residents spend time at multiple affiliated clinical sites to diversify their training experiences. The rotation sites include:

• Franciscan Health - Olympia Fields, Olympia Fields, IL
• AMITA Saint Joseph’s Medical Center, Joliet, IL
• Silver Cross Hospital, Joliet, IL
• Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, Chicago, IL
• AMITA Resurrection Medical Center, Chicago, IL
• Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn, IL

These diverse settings enhance exposure to various patient populations and urological conditions, preparing residents for a wide range of clinical scenarios.

Research Opportunities

Research is an integral part of the training provided at Franciscan Health. Residents have access to opportunities that encourage them to engage in scholarly activities. These experiences not only enhance their clinical practice but also contribute to the body of knowledge within the field of urology.

Salary, Benefits, and Vacation

The program places a strong emphasis on supporting residents through various benefits. Residents enjoy:

• 20 vacation days annually from PGY1 to PGY5
• An annual educational stipend of $3,000 for conference reimbursement
• ACLS/FLS certification
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and life insurance
• Professional liability insurance
• Registration fees covered for Part III of the National Board Exam (one-time only, taken before PGY3)

The salaries for the upcoming academic year (2023-2024) are structured as follows:

• PGY1: $64,020
• PGY2: $66,412
• PGY3: $68,829
• PGY4: $71,793
• PGY5: $75,049

Application Process

To apply for the residency program, candidates must submit an application through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), which includes a comprehensive set of documents such as:

• Curriculum vitae
• Official medical school transcripts
• USMLE and/or COMLEX transcripts
• A personal statement
• At least three letters of recommendation
• Medical Student Performance Evaluation

All applicants must be eligible for temporary Illinois medical licensure. An in-person interview is required, which is initiated by an invitation following a thorough review of submitted application materials. Audition rotations during the fourth year are encouraged, though not mandatory.

Visa Support

The program currently does not sponsor any visas for residents. It is crucial for international medical graduates to have an alternative form of support or eligibility for the program.

Competitiveness

Franciscan Health Urology Residency is characterized as a highly competitive program. It is open to both U.S. graduates and international medical graduates, and while it aims to attract a diverse applicant pool, it is essential for applicants to possess strong academic credentials and clinical experiences in urology.